Twenty years ago I heard a story about millionaire industrialist Dean Kamen preparing to address a business conference while still wearing jeans and a denim shirt. Before approaching the lectern he was asked why he wasn’t wearing a suit. He began his presentation – recounting the question and providing an answer directed to the audience: “Unlike most of you, I am equipped to work in any place at any time.”
After working with Dean and verifying that he really does dress like that every day1, I took the concept to heart. So I wear boots 95% of the time and in the other 5% I keep a pair in the car. Shoes are purpose specific and they also send a message. But let’s be practical and discuss hiking boots.
In my experience there are two categories of boots: junk and good. Pretty much everything at Wal-Mart, Target, Big 5, etc. are in the junk category. Even if you use price as an indicator you can still wind up with failure on your feet when you need it most. And remember that like most things, boots fail during use not while on the shelf; I clearly remember a fairly new pair of Hi-Tecs coming apart on me 22 miles in on a backpacking trip in the High Sierras in 1991. My hiking buddy was laughing while repeating “high tech!”
So what is the remedy?
Ask the Expert
If you want to invest in good tools you don’t ask your dentist or even a hobbyist – you ask someone who makes their living with tools. Who makes a living with boots? Most everyone who operates outdoors, like the military. So start there like I did.
The photo above is of my boot inventory. The first two pairs are from Wellco who unfortunately went out of business but not after suppling the USMC for many years. That I am still marching around in them 13 years and hundreds of miles later shows the quality of their T180 X-4ORCE model. After 8 years of getting those broken in I wanted a “daily driver” so I asked for advice from the Bates rep in his huge display at the SHOT Show in Vegas. That landed me with a pair of their side zip GX-8 model. I have about 3 years on them and though the side zipper concept took some getting used to, I like it for the convenience of getting my foot inside. I wear them pretty much daily.
Break-in
Yes you need to break in your boots and it takes a) time and b) effort. Since you’re already working out (you are working out, aren’t you?) lace those suckers up and start wearing them. Its better to get used to their weight on your feet and knee joints that strapping some ankle weights on on. Train with your gear! It will also let you determine if the included laces are sufficient or they need to be replaced (the pair on the right had theirs replaced).
Waterproofing
I’ve tried Sno-Seal with medium results over the years but after asking a cobbler at his repair store in Louisville CO (another expert!) I used Obenauf’s Leather Preservative on the pair on the left. I proved its excellence many times hiking miles through deep snow to our property in the Rockies. Results: test passed.
Maintenance
Invest in a boot dryer like shown above. The convection of warm air rising in the pipes gently evaporates sweat and any water that may have gotten in around the tongue while on your last march. They are low power and available at sporting goods stores. During the winter months I also use it on the low-cut Merrell hiking boots I wear every day to keep them from getting grungy.
Avoid being in a hurry and placing your wet boots near a high source of heat like a fireplace, camp fire or propane heater. You want slower gentle heat that won’t unexpectedly grill the leather or laces while you’re away making a coffee, playing chess or planning an invasion.
Socks
This is an entire topic in itself so for now, assume you will need to spend some real money on proper socks from a boot warehouse or outdoors store. Again, ask the experts there for some advice. One of my sure-fire techniques is to take something I am hesitant about to the customer service counter before purchasing and ask “Do you tend to see this product returned?” I was once steered away from buying a certain brand of generator when the returns guy said “Oh yeah, they don’t ship them with the high altitude jet in the carburetor. Nothing but trouble.”
Lastly
I won’t point to Dean Kamen as an archetype in many things but his devotion to being outwardly equipped to change a tire, climb a fence or do more than type on a keyboard or lift a Martini is commendable. Such a small change of mindset will set us all apart in the unending goal of being the most resilient we can be to protect ourselves and thus, our families.
Yes, he is a real smartass